What happened: central expansion of higher-education access for Scheduled Caste students through PMS
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said the Central Government is implementing the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of SC students in higher education, with a focus on students from the poorest households. The PMS provides financial assistance at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage so eligible students can complete higher education.
In a Rajya Sabha written reply, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, described the scheme’s design and the central release mechanism under the Annual Action Plan process.
Background and earlier position: scheme structure and disbursement mechanics
The Government stated that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme is open-ended and demand-driven for eligible students studying in all recognized institutions across the country. Under the scheme, Annual Action Plans are obtained from States and Union Territories, which act as implementing agencies.
The Government also explained that release of the Central share is contingent on States and Union Territories transmitting their following to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for central disbursement:
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